Step into the black lace-ups of UK teenagers and attempt one simple goal: do well at school. The teens are eager and the education system professes “to provide world-class education… for everyone, whatever their background” (DfE, 2020), so what could possibly go wrong?
Created from research, The Learning Lottery scrutinises the narrative that the UK is a functioning meritocracy. It asks audiences to confront our relationship with a system that insists on its investment in equality, and yet strangely, somehow, always recreates uncannily similar stories of winners and losers.
Which numbers will you draw?
Originally commissioned by Upstart Theatre for DARE Festival 5, 2021.
Upstart Theatre reimagines the world by making theatre playable. We make art for people who want to play, creating worlds where our audience takes the leading role. We create our own shows, co-create with communities, support artists, and make online and offline games and experiences. We’ve sent a balloon into space, run live and digital festivals and created viral online games. At the heart of it all is our aim to make theatre fun, innovative, political and playable.
Our previous work includes: DARE Festivals 1-5 (Shoreditch Town Hall); The Situation Room (commissioned by Hull Truck and Greyscale Theatre, UK tour to The Lowry, ARC Stockton, The Bike Shed and Shoreditch Town Hall); Reforest! card game (commissioned by RBG Kew for COP26); Republic (VAULT Festival 2020); viral online game BritQuest; Phone Home (Shoreditch Town Hall); The Andover Space Programme (Chapel Arts Studios and Winchester Science Centre); Beneath the City (Birmingham REP & digital European tour); Change of Art Festival (in partnership with Amnesty International, Human Rights Action Centre); and the International Playable Theatre Lab (supported by the British Council).
Press & Reviews
Press, Reviews & Awards for Upstart Theatre’s previous work:
4 STARS “Remarkable” The Guardian
4 STARS “Essential viewing” Time Out
4 STARS “Immersive theatre at its very best... highly original” WhatsOnStage
4 STARS “Very satisfying” The Independent
Nominated for the Innovation Award at VAULT Festival 2020.
Cast & Creative Team Writer & Theatremaker: Katurah Morrish
Director: Tom Mansfield
Producer: Hannah Tookey